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Yanks, Indians postponed for second straight night

CLEVELAND -- The Yankees and Indians were rained out for the second consecutive day on Thursday, prompting manager Joe Girardi to question how schedules are set for the early part of the season.

The Yankees won the two games of the series that were played before inclement weather forced the postponements of the contests on Wednesday and Thursday. No makeup dates have been announced, and this is the Yankees' only scheduled trip to Cleveland this season.

Thursday's game was scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. ET and officially announced as postponed at approximately 9 p.m.

"I know teams want night games, and I understand that," Girardi said. "But if you would have had a day game today, it gives you a longer window to play."

Girardi expects the two games to be made up as a day-night doubleheader on May 13, a mutual off-day for New York and Cleveland, but that has not been finalized or officially announced.

"I don't think there's anything else you can do," he said.

Right-hander Phil Hughes, who never warmed up on Thursday, will now be assigned to the bullpen for a few days. CC Sabathia will start as scheduled against the Orioles on Friday at Yankee Stadium.

Ivan Nova had been scheduled to start on Wednesday against the Indians and also will be in the bullpen on Friday, when more inclement weather is in the forecast.

"We'll just keep everyone on target as much as we can, as many guys as we can," Girardi said. "The other two guys, I know it's tough, but it's what we're going to do."

Hughes is lining up to pitch next Tuesday against the D-backs in New York. He has no issues with how Thursday's game was handled.

"We've gone through rain delays before," Hughes said. "You just have to sit it out and wait. Everybody was looking at the radar, and it didn't look good. We were just kind of holding tight and hoping we would get a window in, but obviously, that didn't happen."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.